Okay, so this ad isn’t exactly selling paint, just using it to make a fun point. Enjoy Sony’s marketing efforts to promote one of their new products.

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I get this question all the time. I was talking with a contractor earlier this week, and I told her that paints are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways you can use healthier products in (or on) your home. In a market where people are becoming increasingly aware of green alternatives, we offer reassurance that painting doesn’t have to be a home improvement that breaks the bank.

There are over 10 different brands of low- and no-VOC paints and wall-coverings available here in Richmond. There are even more within an hour’s drive. Most people are surprised by this, and they’re even more surprised when I tell them that these paints not only rival the quality of traditional products, but they’re also cost-competitive. If you buy paint from a reputable local paint store, you’re probably looking to spend between $30-40 a gallon. To purchase an eco-friendly version, you’ll likely spend between $32 and $45 a gallon. This also means that our painting quotes reflect a reasonable materials cost for work within your home.

If you’re looking for healthier paints in Richmond, feel free to contact us. We can help you find the right product for your home improvement job.

I was recently introduced to an organization that brings issues related to sustainability and eco-friendly living called Back Porch Initiatives. As you’ll see on their site, Back Porch is a non-profit organization working with communities to cultivate local responses to the national and global issue of energy consumption. The Back Porch team is committed to collaborating with communities on existing resources, leveraging new ideas, and developing practical, economical and environmental solutions.

Back Porch has extended an invitation for us to present during one of their weekly community conversations on Monday, July 21st, 2008. We’ll be speaking about healthy paint options available here in Richmond, and will also likely discuss the local green-building resources. We will be at Globehopper Coffeehouse at 2100 E. Main Street in Richmond’s historic Church Hill. This event is free and open to the public.

If you aren’t free to attend this coming Monday’s conversation, please know that Back Porch holds these talks every Monday evening from 7-8 pm at Globehopper.

 

I recently came across a great website that helps people choose color palettes. It’s pretty comprehensive, and it seems to be the place to go if you love color. I perused their collection of popular palettes, and this one caught my eye. If you’re looking to repaint your home, consider visiting the COLOURlovers website for some ideas.

Whether interior or exterior, nearly all paint projects will require two or more coats of paint. The only time when one coat is required is if the new paint is the exact same color, as well as the same finish as the existing paint.

Using several coats of paint helps ensure a more even coat. If changing from a lighter color to a darker one, more than two coats may be needed, as well as a coat of primer. If several coats of paint are not used, there may be areas with little or no coverage, allowing the original paint color to be exposed.

 

Whether you are trying to sell your house, your original exterior paint is fading or damaged, or you are just in the mood for a new look, there are many good reasons to consider having the exterior of your home repainted.

Choosing the perfect color scheme for your home’s exterior is not as straightforward as it may first appear. There are several important considerations to take into account, which will ensure a great final product. Firstly, consider the colors that will be remaining on your home, such as the roof color, decks, or any brick or stonewalls or structures. Narrow your options by first finding out which colors will go well with these prominent, pre-existing features of your home.

 

 

When receiving a new coat of exterior paint, almost every home will have wood which has become rotten and in need of replacement. This wood-rot is caused by weather damage, such as rain, snow, or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Some of the most commonly affected areas include siding, trim, windows, doors, sills, and railings. Other causes can also be to blame for wood-rot, including leaking plumbing or improperly installed gutters, etc.

Before any major exterior paint job, it is imperative to have any rotten wood replaced. Painting over rotten or damaged wood will only lead to further problems in the future, as well as further costs. Ideally, any rotten wood should be removed from the work surface, replaced, and then primed and painted to ensure quality appearance and function. In addition, if improper installation of other products (i.e. gutters, plumbing) is to blame for wet rot, these problems should also be addressed. It is also possible for your rotted products to be replaced with vinyl rot-resistant materials.

When considering having the exterior of your home repainted, it is important to understand the significance of having your home’s exterior pressure washed first. Nearly every exterior paint project should start with a pressure wash. The purpose is not only to remove dirt and debris, but to cleanse the work surface of mildew, algae, and mold as well. If these destructive elements are not removed before new paint is applied, you may experience more extensive damage and cost in the future. Hiring a professional paint crew to repaint the exterior of your home should always include a thorough pressure washing of the work surface, first.

 

Exterior painting, and all types of painting for that matter, is laborious and requires an ability to handle physically challenging work. Some find that painting the exterior of their home is not feasible. This may be due to any number of reasons, such as a lack of sufficient time, lack of proper materials, problems with ladders and/or balance, or limited relevant physical capabilities. In these cases, hiring a professional painting contractor is a good solution.

A professional painting contractor can offer a level of quality not easily attained by the average novice or do-it-yourselfer. In addition, a professional paint crew will take but a fraction of the time that most of us would take ourselves. A good exterior house painting company typically provides true results with professional service.

As with most services, we will get the most from our professional paint job by choosing qualified, capable, and proven painters. Hiring top quality painters can add additional years to the life of your house paint. A good paint job will result in lower maintenance costs and time, as well as less future repairs.

Lighter colors tend to make your house seem larger, more spacious, and brighter. Bright colors can also make a very good color option for your home’s accents, such as doors, trim, and shutters. When choosing your paint color, be sure to remember that the color will almost certainly look different outside in the sunlight.

If your existing house is a dark color and you want to paint a light color over it, you’ll probably need to use a primer first. The primer will help ensure that the darker color can be more completely covered by the lighter color paint. Repainting a darker home with a light color is certainly not impossible, or even difficult. However, there will most likely be a slightly higher cost in labor and materials.